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Living outside the economy.

Be Kind In-Kind

"Mo' money, mo' problems."Notorious B.I.G.

“If history shows anything, it is that there's no better way to justify
relations founded on violence, to make such relations seem moral, than
by reframing them in the language of debt—above all, because it
immediately makes it seem that it's the victim who's doing something
wrong.” David Graeber

The keystone of our bridge is accepting voluntary contributions
for our events, services, and goods, beginning with in-kind
contributions. Our willingness to accept in-kind contributions as
compensation is a manifestation of our belief that no one should be
turned away and that everyone has something to contribute,
regardless of the value of their bank account. That 'something' might
range from salvaged or surplus goods to skilled labor. The underlying
point is that we don't want to execute a transaction with you; we want
to exchange gifts with you.

We're not economists, but it seems to us that the current system of exchange is not working for the majority of its participants. We think the return to the wisdom economy will be:

Mutually-beneficial. In a wisdom economy, all parties get what they need, all the way to the top of Maslow's Hierarchy.

Local.
A wise system of exchange does not privilege the financial
opportunities of globalization to the detriment of the local community.
That's why our focus is on cultivating a local community for the direct
exchange of knowledge, resources, and support.

Self- and community-reliant. Household preparedness is crucial, but incomplete without shared community resilience and mutual aid.

Productive. We're part of a cultural shift from consumption to production.

Community-based. We're all in this together!

Grass-roots. Because (let's face it) a life-based economy does not benefit those who are rewarded by our current system of exchange.

Sustainable.
A participant in the life-based economy considers its impact on other
people and the planet. Furthermore, accepting in-kind donations keeps
waste by-products out of landfills and helps us continue and expand our mission without involving financial creditors.

Look for more information about these priorities on our Maktub (Resources) page, and sign the Be Kind In-Kind pledge (below).